Turkey (MNN)–Religious leaders in Pakistan said Islamic groups in Pakistan, Egypt, Malaysia, Britain and Turkey are planning protests May 27th against the alleged desecration of the Quran by Americans.
That, in turn, appears to have stirred anti-Christian sentiment in Turkey, which could make outreach a little dicey. IN Network’s Rody Rodeheaver says it’s always an issue their staff faces. “It’s a very debilitating thing, and it’s something I’m sure all of us are praying will go away. So, we’re trying to keep everything very low-profile.”
He’s referencing a prior incident where a former government official made remarks that angered Turkish Muslims against Christians. There are also rumors of a cleric who turned his back on the Christian faith and has been spreading poisonous stories about missionary teams. This former cleric has also endangered some by naming names and projects.
However, Rodeheaver says, while they’re cautious, their work is a long-term commitment that has outlasted bouts of anti-Christian sentiment. It’s a critical part of their future ministry, too. “We have a children’s ministry that runs camps in the summer and then works with the Christian churches in Istanbul all year long doing children’s programs, training Sunday school teachers. That’s very important because there is no other training.”
